Simulation of fermentation conditions for vitamin B12 biosynthesis from whey

Vitamin B₁₂ production in fermentation of Propionibacterium shermanii and Propionibacterium arl AKU 1251 in whey permeate medium has been studied. The observed results and simulated expected values obtained by fitting statistical equations to the recorded data showed that 24 h old inoculum, 5 mg iron l^?1 and 4% whey lactose were optimal for vitamin B₁₂ biosynthesis in both strains when fermentation was carried out under anerobic (84 h) and aerobic (84 h) conditions at 30°C. The supplementation of whey medium with 0.5% (NH₄)₂HPO₄ enhanced further the metabolite yield; however, the preference for a mixed carbon source (lactose + d-glucose or lactose + d-fructose) at different levels varied in the strains under study. P. shermanii, under optimal cultural conditions, was found to be a better strain than Propionibacterium arl AKU, 1251 in fermenting whey lactose for product (vitamin B₁₂) formation.     

薰衣草精油和芦荟对痤疮面部主要菌群的影响

目的 体外观察薰衣草精油和芦荟水提物对痤疮患者面部痤疮丙酸杆菌和表皮葡萄球菌的作用,为改善面部痤疮治疗提供理论依据.方法 采用连续梯度稀释法稀释薰衣草精油及芦荟水提物,纸片法观察不同浓度的精油和芦荟水提物对面部正常菌群表皮葡萄球菌和痤疮主要致病菌痤疮丙酸杆菌的作用;通过抑菌环的大小反应抑菌作用强弱,测定生长曲线以观察对细菌生长繁殖的影响.结果 薰衣草精油对痤疮丙酸杆菌的抑菌作用明显强于表皮葡萄球菌(P＜0.05);两种芦荟(库拉索芦荟和木立芦荟)对痤疮丙酸杆菌均无抑菌作用(P＞0.05);库拉索芦荟对表皮葡萄球菌有微弱的抑制作用(P＜0.05);木立芦荟对表皮葡萄球菌生长有促进作用.结论 薰衣草精油和芦荟水提物对痤疮患者面部主要细菌表皮葡萄球菌和痤疮丙酸杆菌的作用效果不同,薰衣草精油和木立芦荟水提物联合应用有可能通过调整面部微生态平衡从而改善痤疮症状.     

一种费氏丙酸杆菌细胞离位转化生产维生素B_(12)的方法

为建立费氏丙酸杆菌的半连续耦合发酵工艺,克服DMB对维生素B_(12)连续发酵的不利影响,考察了费氏丙酸杆菌菌体细胞离位转化合成维生素B_(12)的可行性,优化了其离位转化工艺,确定了最佳的转化时机、转化体系及DMB添加方式,具体如下:当发酵进行至84 h时,将发酵液离心,收集菌体,然后用离心上清液重悬菌体,配成5倍浓度的菌液,加入终浓度为4.5 mg/L的DMB,于30℃条件下转化48 h,维生素B_(12)的产量达到108.06 mg/L,转化效率为2.26 mg/(Lh)。     

PCR detection and 16S rRNA sequence-based phylogeny of a novel Propionibacterium acidipropionici applicable for enhanced fermentation of high moisture corn

AIMS: The aims of this study were to develop a sensitive and more rapid detection of Propionibacterium acidipropionici DH42 in silage and rumen fluid samples, and to explore its 16S rRNA sequence-based phylogeny. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used with DH42-specific primers dhb1 and dhb2 for the secondary amplification of a 1267-bp fragment of 16S rRNA encoding gene. Using the established protocols for PCR amplification, as low as 10(2) and 10(3) CFU ml(-1) of strain DH42 in silage extracts and rumen fluid, respectively, were detected. To determine phylogenetic relationships between DH42 and other representatives of Propionibacterineae, a 1529-bp fragment of its 16S rRNA was amplified by PCR and sequenced. The propionibacterium DH42 formed a cluster with Eubacterium combesii, P. acidipropionici and P. microaerophilus. CONCLUSIONS: 16S rRNA-based PCR detection technique was developed for DH42 in silage and rumen fluid samples. The 16S rRNA sequence confirmed the earlier identification of strain DH42 as P. acidipropionici. However, variable nucleotide positions were revealed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Variability of 16S rRNA sequence within the species P. acidipropionici, determined in this study, poses the need of re-sequencing for some species of the suborder Propionibacterineae for a more reliable classification.     

Discovering lactic acid bacteria by genomics

This review summarizes a collection of lactic acid bacteria that are now undergoing genomic sequencing and analysis. Summaries are presented on twenty different species, with each overview discussing the organisms fundamental and practical significance, nvironmental habitat, and its role in fermentation, bioprocessing, or probiotics. For those projects where genome sequence data were available by March 2002, summaries include a listing of key statistics and interesting genomic features. These efforts will revolutionize our molecular view of Gram–positive bacteria, as up to 15 genomes from the low GC content lactic acid bacteria are expected to be available in the public domain by the end of 2003. Our collective view of the lactic acid bacteria will be fundamentally changed as we rediscover the relationships and capabilities of these organisms through genomics.     

High‐titer production and strong antimicrobial activity of sophorolipids from Rhodotorula bogoriensis

Rhodotorula bogoriensis produces sophorolipids (SLs) that contain 13‐hydroxydocosanoic acid (OH‐C₂₂) as the lipid moiety. A systematic study was conducted to further understand the fermentative production of SLs containing OH‐C₂₂ (C₂₂‐SL) by R. bogoriensis. Shake‐flask studies showed that R. bogoriensis consumed glucose at a slow pace. HPLC analysis of the C₂₂‐SL products from shake‐flask fermentations at different glucose concentrations showed a correlation between glucose depletion and the extent of C₂₂‐SL deacetylation. A large‐scale bioreactor fermentation resulted in the isolation of C₂₂‐SL at a volumetric product yield of 51 g/L. HPLC analysis of C₂₂‐SL product from the bioreactor fermentation corroborated the finding that glucose depletion correlated with extensive deacetylation of C₂₂‐SL. The antimicrobial activity of C₂₂‐SL was established for the first time to be stronger than the C₁₈‐SL from Candida bombicola against Propionibacterium acnes in a plate assay. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:867–874, 2015     

Screening of plant extracts for antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts with dermatological relevance

There is cumulative resistance against antibiotics of many bacteria. Therefore, the development of new antiseptics and antimicrobial agents for the treatment of skin infections is of increasing interest. We have screened six plant extracts and isolated compounds for antimicrobial effects on bacteria and yeasts with dermatological relevance. The following plant extracts have been tested: Gentiana lutea, Harpagophytum procumbens, Boswellia serrata (dry extracts), Usnea barbata, Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis (supercritical carbon dioxide [CO2] extracts). Additionally, the following characteristic plant substances were tested: usnic acid, carnosol, carnosic acid, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, harpagoside, boswellic acid and gentiopicroside. The extracts and compounds were tested against 29 aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and yeasts in the agar dilution test. U. barbata-extract and usnic acid were the most active compounds, especially in anaerobic bacteria. Usnea CO2-extract effectively inhibited the growth of several Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains - MRSA), Propionibacterium acnes and Corynebacterium species. Growth of the dimorphic yeast Malassezia furfur was also inhibited by Usnea-extract. Besides the Usnea-extract, Rosmarinus-, Salvia-, Boswellia- and Harpagophytum-extracts proved to be effective against a panel of bacteria. It is concluded that due to their antimicrobial effects some of the plant extracts may be used for the topical treatment of skin disorders like acne vulgaris and seborrhoic eczema.     

Green and economical production of propionic acid by Propionibacterium freudenreichii CCTCC M207015 in plant fibrous-bed bioreactor

Propionic acid production by Propionibacterium freudenreichii from molasses and waste propionibacterium cells was studied in plant fibrous-bed bioreactor (PFB). With non-treated molasses as carbon source, 12.69 ± 0.40 g l^-1 of propionic acid was attained at 120 h in free-cell fermentation, whereas the PFB fermentation yielded 41.22 ± 2.06 g l^-1 at 120 h and faster cells growth was observed. In order to optimize the fermentation outcomes, fed-batch fermentation was performed with hydrolyzed molasses in PFB, giving 91.89 ± 4.59 g l^-1 of propionic acid at 254 h. Further studies were carried out using hydrolyzed waste propionibacterium cells as substitute nitrogen source, resulting in a propionic acid concentration of 79.81 ± 3.99 g l^-1 at 302 h. The present study suggests that the low-cost molasses and waste propionibacterium cells can be utilized for the green and economical production of propionic acid by P. freudenreichii.     

Granulomatous Propionibacterium acnes infection after trauma surgery

We report here a rare case of infection caused by Propionibacterium acnes following trauma surgery: a 36-year-old male, accident victim was admitted to the hospital because of polytrauma. He underwent a long-drawn-out surgical intervention and after a free-muscle transfer using the rectus femoris muscle, signs of inflammation were detected in the affected area. Microbiological examination of the wound revealed the presence of P. acnes as the only etiological agent of this infection. Adequate antibiotic treatment with penicillin had been started right after the positive microbiological result. Our data confirm the pathogenic potential of P. acnes in late post-surgical infections, and suggest a proper therapeutic approach with intravenous antibiotics and surgical removal of the infected tissue.